MANILA: The Philippine government Monday vowed to boost its defense capability to protect its shorelines amid simmering tensions with China over the disputed Spratly Islands. The administration of President Benigno Aquino III “is determined to improve the capabilities of our military and Coast Guard to enable the effective patrol and protection of our national territory and Exclusive Economic Zone,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in news conference. This developed as authorities have officially renamed a part of the South China Sea where the Spratly Islands are spread to West Philippine Sea, an area thought to hold large oil and gas reserves. “Although the Philippine government has always called for a peaceful, multilateral settlement of the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in the Spratlys area, it will dismiss out of hand any claim to what are considered integral parts of the Philippine territory, such as the Recto or Reed bank in western Palawan,” Lacierda said. Manila has vehemently protested Chinese incursions in its borders, saying that Chinese forces have erected poles, placed a buoy and left building materials near Amy Douglas Bank, a clearly defined Philippine territory outside the Spratlys chain, in clear violation of a 2002 agreement between China and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Beijing admitted Manila's claims but said the materials it left were for scientific purposes on its territory and there was no intention to occupy or seize the reef. The raging row with China has prompted calls for a boycott of China-made products being sold in the Philippines.
